Excursion Parikia & panagia ekatontapiliani: a journey through sacred stone and vineyard grace tour at Paros

Discover the capital of Paros, Parikia, including the impressive Holy Church of Panagia Ekatontapiliani and afterwards continue to a local winery to taste some local wines.

Parikia

Parikia has about 3,000 inhabitants and was built on the same site where the ancient city and capital used to stand. This little town is the commercial and cultural centre of Paros as well as the main harbour of the island, serving many other islands.

Holy Church of Panagia Ekatontapiliani

Meet your guide at the pier and after a short walk you will admire the main attraction of the town which is Holy Church of Panagia Ekatontapiliani, also referred to as the "Church of 100 doors". According to tradition, the church has 99 doors and a secret door will open only when the church of Hagia Sofia in Constantinople will become Orthodox again. Built in the 4^th century AD, it is one of the best preserved Orthodox churches of Greece and is one of the most important Byzantine monuments in the nation. Visit the church, the baptistery and the small and very unique archaeological museum which exhibits rare icons dating from the 17^th and 18^th century, ecclesiastical items and valuable relics of the post-Byzantine history of Paros.

Castle of Paros

Continue your guided walk through Parikia for amazing views of the Frankish Castle of Paros. Scholars believe the castle was built from vestiges of an assortment of ancient sanctuaries that were scattered on and around the island of Paros. It stands out for its splendid architecture, a mute testimony to the rich past of Paros. Conspicuous by its intricate stonework and the hundred footer Hekatompedon that is fabricated into its walls, the elongated tower integrates all the elements of a 4^th century globular edifice. Part of the circular edifice is used as apse of the castle's in-house chapel, the basis of an ancient temple, which believed to date back to 530 BC. Along with the temple ruins, there are also scattered remnants of ancient residences.

Naousa, Moraitis Winery & Wine Tasting

Afterwards, board your coach and drive to Naoussa to visit Moraitis winery and sample some of its wines. Founded in 1910, this family owned and operated winery premises include the winemaking, production, bottling and storage areas, and the old winery building, which hosts the underground ageing cellars, the wine museum, and the wine tasting area. The Moraitis Winery owns 18,000 m2 of organic vineyards in selected vine cultivation areas of the island, mostly featuring the indigenous varieties of Paros: Monemvasia, Mandilaria, Aidani Black, Vaftra and Karampraimi. The island's dry sandy soil with high clay content, mild winters with low rainfall and hot summers with cool winds, form the ideal conditions for producing high quality wines.

The tour concluded back at the pier.

Points of interests

Points of interest seen on this excursion include: Parikia, Holy Church of Panagia Ekatontapiliani, Castle of Paros, Wine Tasting

Note

Please note: This tour involves an extensive amount of walking and standing for approximately 2.2 miles (about 3.5 kilometres), at times over uneven, gravel, and cobblestone surfaces and inclines, with a several steps to negotiate to get on/off the coach and at the sites visited. The town of Parikia will be explored on foot. This tour is not suitable for guests with limited mobility and guests who utilise a wheelchair. Guests are advised to wear lightweight, comfortable clothing with flat, closed-toe walking shoes, and bring sun protection, bottled water and local currency for purchases from the ship. Guests must be at least 18 years old to be served alcoholic beverages. Photography is not permitted inside the small archaeological museum within the Ekatontapiliani complex. Tour order may vary.